TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — No. 5 Alabama worked outside Monday as it held its first practice in preparation for Saturday’s Iron Bowl against No. 15 Auburn. Players were dressed in shorts and shells and worked under clear, 59-degree weather. Here are some notes from the media viewing period.
— All four of Alabama’s injured players from last week were present in practice. Raekwon Davis (ankle) and Phidarian Mathis (undisclosed) were working with the first group on the defensive line, while D.J. Dale (knee) stood to the side. Henry Ruggs III (bruised ribs) was participating in drills with the receivers.
— Injured freshman running back Trey Sanders (foot) was dressed out and going through footwork drills off to the side with a trainer. He seemed to be moving all right. Last week, Saban said. that Sanders as well as Dylan Moses (knee), Joshua McMillon (knee) and LaBryan Ray (foot) were all progressing nicely in rehab.
— Several players were in sneakers instead of cleats. Of the players I saw, Dale, Christian Barmore, Terrell Lewis and Anfernee Jennings were all in sneakers. Barmore, Lewis and Jennings were all participating in individual drills.
— Davis, Mathis and Byron Young made up the first group on the defensive line. The second group was comprised of Barmore, Stephon Wynn Jr., Tevita Musika and Justin Eboigbe. Braylen Ingraham and Ishmael Sopsher worked in the third group.
— The receivers worked in pairs as Jerry Jeudy and DeVonta Smith led the unit. Next up were Jaylen Waddle and Tyrell Shavers followed by John Metchie III and Henry Ruggs III. Slade Bolden was the last to go as Xavier Williams was working with the scout team.
— Will Reichard was seen kicking a football lightly through the uprights from about 10 yards out. He was just lofting the ball and wasn’t taking a run-up. Earlier in the day, Saban ruled the freshman out for this week’s game as he continues to recover from a hip flexor injury.
— Markail Benton is no longer wearing a hamstring-support strip during drills with the inside linebackers.
— All four of Alabama’s injured players from last week were present in practice. Raekwon Davis (ankle) and Phidarian Mathis (undisclosed) were working with the first group on the defensive line, while D.J. Dale (knee) stood to the side. Henry Ruggs III (bruised ribs) was participating in drills with the receivers.
— Injured freshman running back Trey Sanders (foot) was dressed out and going through footwork drills off to the side with a trainer. He seemed to be moving all right. Last week, Saban said. that Sanders as well as Dylan Moses (knee), Joshua McMillon (knee) and LaBryan Ray (foot) were all progressing nicely in rehab.
— Several players were in sneakers instead of cleats. Of the players I saw, Dale, Christian Barmore, Terrell Lewis and Anfernee Jennings were all in sneakers. Barmore, Lewis and Jennings were all participating in individual drills.
— Davis, Mathis and Byron Young made up the first group on the defensive line. The second group was comprised of Barmore, Stephon Wynn Jr., Tevita Musika and Justin Eboigbe. Braylen Ingraham and Ishmael Sopsher worked in the third group.
— The receivers worked in pairs as Jerry Jeudy and DeVonta Smith led the unit. Next up were Jaylen Waddle and Tyrell Shavers followed by John Metchie III and Henry Ruggs III. Slade Bolden was the last to go as Xavier Williams was working with the scout team.
— Will Reichard was seen kicking a football lightly through the uprights from about 10 yards out. He was just lofting the ball and wasn’t taking a run-up. Earlier in the day, Saban ruled the freshman out for this week’s game as he continues to recover from a hip flexor injury.
— Markail Benton is no longer wearing a hamstring-support strip during drills with the inside linebackers.
